AN EVALUATION OF THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC EDUCATION IN PRIMARY TEACHERS’ TRAINING COLLEGES IN KENYA: A CASE OF KISII COUNTY

Abstract

The use of technology is not a new venture in the teaching and learning of music; it has assisted music educators for centuries. Harpsichord and piano are examples of old technological gadgets that were of great importance to those who first used them, just as recently invented devices such as computers, electronic keyboards, and compact discs (CDs) are to those who use them today. This study evaluated the use of technology in Primary Teachers' Training Colleges in Kenya, the case of Kisii County. The following are the study objectives: to examine what technology is used in teaching music in Primary Teachers Training Colleges (PTTCs); to establish the extent to which available technology is used in PTTCs; to identify challenges to technological integration, and to establish possible solutions to the challenges faced in the use of technology in PTTCs. The study employed a mixed-method approach to data collection and analysis. The target population consisted of 1500 student teachers, 4 principals, and 8 music tutors from the four teachers' training colleges in Kisii County. The study used purposive and systematic sampling techniques to select all the 4 principals of the primary teachers' training colleges in Kisii County, the 8 music tutors, and the 150 student teachers. The study sampled a total of 162 respondents. Questionnaires, an in depth interview guide, and documented data were used as research instruments. The data processing was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)program. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics, that is, in the form of frequencies and percentages. The Quantitative data was presented in the form of tables and charts. The qualitative data was analyzed, categorized into themes, and presented in narrative form. The study established that providing access to the required technological and non technological resources such as chalkboards, flip charts, keyboards, pianos, television/videos, audio CDs, and radio resources for all students; lack of electricity, provision of adequate administrative support, and technical issues were significant challenges to the use of technology in PPTCs. It was concluded that chalkboards, local resources, flip charts, audio CDs, recorders, and pianos/ keyboards were sufficiently available for teaching and learning music. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education provide adequate funds to PTTCs to purchase the required technology. In addition, the ministry of education should organize training seminars for music tutors on technology to facilitate their use in the teaching and learning of music. Further, administrators of PPTCs should adequately plan music halls to facilitate electricity access points for use with the available technology.